Helpful home maintenance

A home is one of the greatest assets a person or family can have. It is also one of their biggest expenses. Personal vehicles are next on that list, and they are not even close when it comes to price points in Hawaii. The average home in Hawaii is around $500,000, while the average vehicle is around $30,000.

Yet for most homeowners, vehicles receive more regular maintenance programs — oil changes, tune-ups, tire rotations and regular cleanings — in an effort to prolong the look, life and proficiency of the vehicle. Many homes do not receive the same scheduled maintenance programs as vehicles do.

All too often, homeowners tend to home maintenance only when there is a problem or something has failed. This is actually backwards. Your home should be given far more attention than your vehicle, as it is expected to last for more than 10 times as long, and is at least 10 times as expensive.

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So what does exterior home maintenance involve? Here are the top three:

Roof maintenance

Your roof is probably the most expensive component of your home. In Hawaii’s wet and humid environment, it is very likely that your roof will be infested with mold, algae, moss or lichens.

The black streaks and dark spots on your roof are a direct effect of a mold known as Gloeocapsa Magma, which colonizes on your roof. This mold lays down extensive root systems that cause cracking and fissures, and it eats away at the limestone and compounds the roofing material is made of. It may shorten the life of your roof by as much as 50 percent if not treated.

In order to reach the maximum life potential of your roof, have a professional roof cleaning done every five to seven years. Do not let anyone pressure wash your roof, as it will void your warranty and cause irreversible damage. Hire a Soft-Wash certified, licensed and insured roof-cleaning contractor.

Gutter cleaning

Gutters that are not regularly cleaned on an annual to semi-annual basis can become clogged or backed up, and could cost homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs. A clogged or backed up gutter allows water to accumulate, which adds a lot of weight to the system. This causes nails to be pulled out or loosened, joints to begin leaking or even sections of the gutter to fall.

Full gutters also allow water to spill over the top and back into the fascia boards, creating wood rot and water damage that can spread to rafters and roof components. This causes the need for major, expensive repairs.

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House washing

The sun, grime, dirt, salty air and other contaminants can cause serious issues to a home’s exterior coatings and make up. Whether your home is stucco, wood, concrete, siding or anything else, a proper cleaning is vital to maximize longevity.

If left untreated, these contaminants can break down the building materials and coatings, which will leave the home susceptible to water damage and other structural failures that could cost thousands in repairs. Have your home cleaned every three to five years, and do not use high pressure to clean the exterior.

Contact Envirowash Hawaii LLC to rejuvenate your home and get it back on a routine maintenance program. Call the company for a free on-site estimate or demo today.